I concur with your view..
Punted 1993 - 2001, then a 15yr lay off, ('serious' relationships
), then back on duty this year.
And it hasn't escaped my notice that punting in the UK is waaay better now.
I mean 100% better, unrecognisable, a completely different experience and vibe.
In the 90s it was usually a disinterested 'Rub-n-Tug' with happy ending affair.
These days (as you say), its like a surrogate girlfriend sometimes..at least for 60mins anyway.
To be honest, looking back from here, I'm relieved that punting wasn't as good in the 90s.
Because I was in my 20s then, an insanely randy little fucker and, (despite girlfriends),
I would probably have developed a 2-a-day habit and needed to rob banks to fund it!